Toy submarine



y 1941; A. J. MIDDLER 2,243,568

TOY SUBMARINE FiledJan. 20, 1959 I INVENTOR. j/elaflaer Mad/er- BY l ATTORNEY.

Patented May 27, 1941 UNlTED STATES PATENT QFFICE TOY SUBMABJNE Alexander J. Middler, Detroit, Mich.

Application January 20, 1939, Serial No. 251,897

11 Claims.

This invention relates to toy submarines and has for its object to provide a toy of attractive appearance which will dive intermittently over a period of minutes and, preferably, which will then cruise on the surface of the water until removed. The principal object is to provide means for controlling the diving function which is operable when the submarine is at a depth which may be predetermined for causing the submarine to return to .the surface of the water, and to teach alternative means for obtaining such control. For example, in the case of a toy submarine of buoyant nature having diving fins and propelling means causing it to dive incident to forward movement through the water, the speed of forward movement is the controlling factor. The present invention is applicable to reduce the speed of forward movement to such an extent that the buoyancy of the submarine returns it to the surface of the water. In the case of a submarine having means for varying its buoyancy to cause it to intermittently dive and rise to the surface, the invention is applicable to control the buoyancy.

Another object is to provide a toy submarine having diving fins and propelling means, and means which functions to reduce the speed of operation of the propelling means when the submarine is diving at an angle which may be predetermined or, alternatively, means which functions in the presence of water pressure which may be predetermined for reducing the speed of operation of the propelling means, in order that the buoyancy of the submarine will return it to the surface.

Another object is to provide a toy submarine having buoyancy chambers and a compressed air storage tank, and means for controlling the supply of compressed air to the storage chambers to supply air thereto when the submarine is diving at an angle which may be predetermined.

Other objects and advantages will become more fully apparent as reference is had to the accompanying drawing wherein my invention is illustrated and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a toy submarine,

Fig. 2 is a fragmental vertical cross section with the mechanism in diving trim,

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, with the mechanism in a position permitting the submarine to rise,

Fig. 4 is an elevation of a braking member,

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating water pressure actuated braking means, and

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of a submarine having means for varying the buoyancy thereof and a control which is actuated when the submarine dives at a predetermined angle.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, a toy submarine hull I having fins 2 disposed at an angle which cause the hull to submerge when moved forwardly through the water at a certain speed. The means for propelling the hull comprises a propeller 3 mounted on a shaft 4 and driven through gearing 5 by a spring motor 6. The gearing and spring motor are such that they ordinarily propel the hull at a rate causing the diving function.

Upon the shaft 4 are two fixed collars I and 3 and a disc 9 is pressed against the collar 8 by a spring l0 which bears against the collar 1. The disc 9 ordinarily rotates with the shaft 4, and as may be seen more clearly in Fig. 4 has a r radially projecting prong ll.

Pivo'tally mounted in a fixed bracket I2 is a bell crank lever having a weight ['3 on its upwardly extending arm M, and its lower arm [5 in loose engagement with a latch l6 which is adapted, to engage the prong II to prevent rotation of the disc 9. An eccentric disc l 'l mounted on a hand operated stem 3 restricts pivotal movement of the weight l3, and by movement rotatively may cause the arm [4 to be held in different angular positions. With the hull disposed horizontally, the weight l3 ordinarily rests against the eccentric l1, and when the hull assumes an angular position corresponding to the diving angle the weight and arm l4 fall forwardly and cause the latch I6 to rise and engage the prong H to stop rotation of the disc 9. Friction between the disc 9 and collar 8 brakes the propeller shaft and slows forward movement of the hull to such an extent that buoyancy of the hull tends to return it to the surface.

In order to maintain the braking action until the hull reaches the surface a latch mechanism is provided to hold the weight l3 in its forward position. This latch mechanism comprises a float l9 pivoted at 2B and connected to a finger 21 for moving the latter into engagement with the'weight I3. After the hull is completely submerged the float l9 rises and pivots the finger 2| into a position where it will engage the weight when the weight is in its forward position to retain it in its forward position. The finger 2| remains in contact with the weight until the hull rise-s to the surface, at which time the float descends from the position shown in Fig. 3, thereby releasing the weight and allowing it to fall back to the position shown in Fig. 2 and to withdraw the latch from the prong l l. The cycle is repeated until such time as the power stored in the spring motor is completely expended.

It will be noted upon reference to Figs. 2 and 3 that the bell crank arm l5 and the latch l5 are correlated to provide for a lost motion action therebetween. The result of this arrangement is that upon release of the weight l3 the bell crank rocks freely a short distance so that the arm l5 forcibly strikes the latch l6 and withdraws it from engagement with the prong l I.

The braking action induced by the spring l preferably is suflicient to completely stop rotation of the propeller shaft 4. Therefore, when the spring motor is being wound it is not necessary to manually hold the propeller stationary. By lowering the bow and elevating the stem the weight l3 falls forward to the brake actuating position and holds the brake applied, and permits the motor to be wound andthe submarine to be carried from place to place while wound.

Obviously, the normal angle between the arm 14 and the vertical determines the angle at which the weight falls forwardly. This normal angle may be varied by rotating the eccentric disc ll.

In Fig. there is illustrated a fragment of a hull la. similar to that above described and having a propeller So. on the drive shaft 4a which is adapted to be driven in the manner above described. Mounted in the hull la is a housing 25 having a diagram 26 adapted to deflect in response to Water pressure. When the diaphragm 2B deflects a brake shoe 2'! is moved into contact with the shaft 4a and reduces the speed of rotation thereof.

In Fig. 6 there is illustrated a hull 30 having a compressed air tank 3| and a buoyancy chamber 32 therein, the hull being ported at 33 in order that air or water may enter and leave the same. The buoyancy chamber has a port 34 opening through the bottom of the hull and a port 35 opening into the interior of the hull. Extending from the tank BI is a conduit 36 having a port 31 opening into the chamber 32.

A double valve 38 is operated by a weighted lever to control the ports 35 and 31, the weighted arm when positioned as shown in full lines causing the valve 33 to close the port 3'! and to open the port 35. Therefore water may enter the port 34 and displace air through the port 35 from the chamber 32. The tank 3| is mounted toward the rear of the hull and the forward end therefore sinks more rapidly than the rear end, and as a predetermined angle is reached the weighted arm 39 falls forwardly to the dotted line position shown. The valve 38 closes the port 35 and opens the port 31, thereby admitting compressed air to the buoyancy chamber 32 to displace water therefrom, at which time the hull rises to the surface and repeats the cycle.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention is illustrated and described, it will be understood that various changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention, and such changes are contemplated.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a toy submarine hull, means for causing said hull to dive, and means automatically operated as a result of the diving function for causing said hull to return to the surface. said last named means including a control member adapted to be moved by gravity when the hull becomes angularly disposed as a result of diving.

2. In combination, a toy submarine hull, fins on said hull for causing said hull to submerge incident to a predetermined speed of movement, a

motor for propelling said hull at or above said speed, and means for reducing the speed of said motor.

3. In combination, a toy submarine hull, fins on said hull for causing said hull to submerge inoident to a predetermined speed of movement, a motor for propelling said hull at or above said speed, and means operated by angular disposition of the hull as a result of diving for causing said hull to return to the surface.

4. In combination, a toy submarine hull, fins on said hull for causing said hull to submerge incident to a predetermined speed of movement, a motor for propelling said hull at or above said speed, and means operated by angular disposition of the hull as a result of diving for reducing the speed of said motor below said predetermined speed.

5. In combinaiton, a toy submarine hull, means for causing said hull to dive, means operated by angular disposition of the hull as a result of diving for causing said hull to return to the surface and means for adjusting said last named means to vary the angle at which it operates.

6. In combination, a toy submarine hull, fins on said hull for causing said hull to submerge incident to a predetermined speed of movement, a propeller, a spring motor for driving said propeller, and a brake adapted to operate intermittent- 1y during the operation of said motor for reducing the speed of rotation of said propeller.

'7. In combination, a toy submarine hull, fins on said hull for causing said hull to submerge incident to a predetermined speed of movement, a motor for propelling said hull at or above said speed, a weight pivotally mounted to swing in response to inclination of said hull, and a brake for said motor operated by swinging movement of said weight.

8. In combination, a toy submarine hull, fins on said hull for causing said hull to submerge incident to a predetermined speed of movement, a motor for propelling said hull at or above said speed, a weight pivotally mounted to swing in response to inclination of said hull, a brake for said motor operated by swinging movement of said weight, and a float member for holding said brake applied after initial application thereof and until the hull reaches the surface of the water.

9. In combination, a toy submarine hull, means in said hull for causing said hull to sink, and means operated by angular disposition of said hull as a result of diving for operating said first named means to cause the hull to rise to the surface.

10. In combination, a toy submarine hull, a compressed air storage tank, a buoyancy chamher, and means operated by angular disposition of said hull as a result of diving for controlling the passage of air from said tank to said chamber.

11 In combination, a toy submarine hull, a compressed air storage tank, a buoyancy chamber, means operated by angular disposition of said hull as a result of diving for controlling the passage of air from said tank to said chamber, and means for retaining air in said buoyancy chamber when the supply of compressed air is depleted to a predetermined extent.

ALEXANDR J. NIIDDLER. 

